Recipient of 2012 & 2016 Association

of Defense Communities

Base Redevelopment Excellence Awards

Chaffee Crossing is the economic development engine of western Arkansas and also the center point of the nation’s crossroads for business. Over $1.2 BILLION in capital investments have been made since the Fort Chaffee Redevelopment Authority trust was formed in 2000. A number of industrial and commercial businesses have helped to create more than 1,400 jobs, 20 residential developments and a number of recreational amenities. People live, work and play here every day. This is Arkansas’ premier community where Smart Growth planning is key. Chaffee Crossing is a community on the rise!

ACHE Groundbreaking for The Greens Set Dec. 15

An apartment complex called 'The Greens' is being constructed by the Arkansas Colleges of Health Education. The Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine begins classes in the fall.

Brownwood Life Care Ribbon Cutting

AR College of Osteopathic Medicine Dedication Attracts Thousands

A dedication ceremony for the Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine drew thousands of visitors over the weekend of August 20-21. Gov. Asa Hutchinson applauded the school as a way to meet a 'primary need' in Arkansas' healthcare. The school is expected to have an $80-$100 million annual economic impact. The inaugural class of 150 students will fill classrooms beginning August 2017.

Avalon Residential Development Full Steam Ahead

ERC Builders' development on McClure Drive is rapidly taking shape as another fine living space at Chaffee Crossing. The 32-lot exclusive neighborhood in the Amp District is across the street from the new ArcBest Corp. headquarters. The beautiful lots are surrounded by mature trees bordered by the Arkansas River Valley Nature Center, the Fort Smith Master Trail System, the outdoor Hardwood Tree Museum and the McClure Amphitheater.

Mercy Clinic to Build Primary Care and Teaching Clinic

Steel is in the air on the building site of the new Mercy Clinic. The 13,000 sf primary care clinic on Chad Colley Blvd. across from the AR College of Osteopathic Medicine will also serve as a teaching clinic for resident students of ARCOM.

Chaffee Crossing Clinic Open To Patients

Dr. Justin Hayes, Dr. Tom Bonin and staff hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony July 15 at their new facility at 11300 Roberts Blvd., Fort Smith, one block east of the I-549 exit at Roberts Blvd. The primary care clinic is the first health-related business at Chaffee Crossing. They are accepting new patients and offer preventative care as well as other new approaches to family wellness.

Highland Crossing Homes Selling Fast

Custom home builder Tim Mays, FCRA staff, members of the Van Buren Chamber of Commerce, family, friends and Chaffee Crossing neighbors celebrated the groundbreaking for four new homes in the 32-single family home development on July 12. Five short months later, eight homes are framed and roofed, ready for decorating decisions to be made and more lots are ready for foundations to be poured. The development is conveniently located at the corner of Wells Lake Road and Roberts Blvd. near the new osteopathic medical school, the new ArcBest Corporation headquarters, the River Valley Nature Center, the McClure Amphitheater, multi-use trails and other Chaffee Crossing amenities.

Earth Moving At Young Family Home Site

Framing has begun on the four cottages at the Young Family Home site, 11201 Custer Blvd., Fort Smith. Free Will Baptist Family Ministries is developing the complex of homes that will serve children from a five-county area who are in DHS custody. A mid-2017 completion date is expected.

StoneHouse Chaffee Crossing Open For Lunch and Dinner

Stonehouse Chaffee Crossing ribbon cutting April 14 with executive chef Memo Vaca, staff
and alumni of the Maness School which was renovated for the new restaurant. The original building is still listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Click here to see candid photos from the celebration.
Visit the Stonehouse Chaffee Crossing website to learn about the farm-to-table concept of Chaffee Crossing's first restaurant.

River Valley Animal Hospital Opening January 2017

Drs. Trevor and Rachel South will soon welcome patients through the doors of their new River Valley Animal Hospital and Emergency Services Clinic at 400 Frontier Road in Barling. Their practice will serve large and small animals with separate treatment areas for trauma and infectious patients and a trailer-friendly parking and drop-off area for cattle and horses.

Glatfelter Hosts Flag Raising

Global specialty papers and fiber-based engineered materials manufacturer Glatfelter hosted a first-class flag raising ceremony at their new Chaffee Crossing plant in November. The company invited the American Legion Post #31 Honor Guard to conduct the flag raising and also took the occasion to honor local heroes.

ArcBest Corp. Headquarters Moving Along

ArcBest Corporation is speeding toward a 2017 completion goal for their new corporate headquarters along the Amp District ridge between Wells Lake Road, McClure Drive and R.A. Young Jr. Drive. The company plans to place 1,000 jobs in the $31 million facility.

I-49 International Coalition Goes to Little Rock

FCRA executive director, Ivy Owen, and members of the I-49 International Coalition met with Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson and the Arkansas Economic Development commission in November to discuss funding completion of Interstate 49 through Arkansas.

HISTORIC DISTRICT NEWS

Chaffee Historic District Warehouses Sells for Commercial Development
Fort Chaffee Redevelopment Authority (FCRA) staff and board members have dreamed of developing the Chaffee Crossing Historic District into an urban, walking district and now those dreams are coming true. FCRA board members approved an offer today from Diades Investments, LLC to purchase five warehouse buildings located in the 7400 block of Ellis Street, Fort Smith, Ark. The buildings will be converted into a multi-use property to include retail, office and restaurant space. Click here to read the full news release and related stories.

Old Fort Furniture Opens in Warehouse District

Old Fort Furniture officially opened in the Chaffee Crossing Warehouse District on August 8. The 9,000-sf WWII-era Army warehouse-turned-furniture-store, owned by Randy, Tina and River DeCanter of Van Buren, features a variety of furniture options for all decorating budgets.

HealthPointe Insurance Services Ribbon Cutting

FCRA is very proud to welcome HealthPointe Insurance Services to the Chaffee Crossing Historic District.
Owner Jennifer Parks is the first entrepreneur to buy land and a historic 1941-era building to open a commercial business since the buildings were added to the National Register of Historic Places. We're sure she is paving
the way for other dreamers to make this area of Chaffee Crossing their business home. About 50 people attended the HealthPointe ribbon cutting including U.S. Congressman Steve Womack, Third District of Arkansas.
Welcome, Jennifer and Joan!

MUSEUM NEWS

The 5th annual Veterans Day Parade in the Chaffee Crossing Historic District held on Saturday, November 12, 2016, was an enormous success. Over 1,200 participants and a couple thousand people came to show their appreciation for veterans. Visit our Veterans Day Parade at Chaffee Crossing Facebook page to see photos of the medals presentation, the parade and the Veteran Honors Ceremony when we paid a special "Salute to Women in the Military". Thank you veterans for your sacrifices and commitment to protecting our nation and our freedom!

CCHD Awarded AHPP Restoration Grant

Construction has begun! The Chaffee Crossing Historic District has begun renovation on Building #823, also referred to as the "Elvis Barracks".

With a multi-phase grant from the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program, structural repairs and renovations will create accessibility to the barracks where Elvis was temporarily stationed in March 1958 before being sent to Fort Hood for training. The two-story building will eventually provide space to display Fort Chaffee artifacts from the Museum of Chaffee History.

Chaffee Veterans Memorial In Progress

The Chaffee Veterans Memorial will soon be constructed in the heart of the Chaffee Crossing Historic District. The memorial will feature engraved bricks, benches, static displays and be a significant step toward honoring veterans of all armed services, past and present. Personalized engraved bricks honoring Chaffee veterans, family members, friends and businesses will become part of the plaza pathway.

rehouse in the Chaffee Crossing Historic District that will soon become a microbrewery. Plans are to be open in Fall 2016. Congratulations, Quentin and Brooke ! Visit the FSBC website.

Fort Smith Brewing Company Closes on Warehouse

Owners Quentin Willard and Brooke Elder officially closed on the purchase of a warehouse in the Chaffee Crossing Historic District that will soon become a microbrewery. Plans are to be open in Fall 2016. Congratulations, Quentin and Brooke ! Visit the FSBC website.

Fort Smith Brewing Company Closes on Warehouse

Owners Quentin Willard and Brooke Elder officially closed on the purchase of a warehouse in the Chaffee Crossing Historic District that will soon become a microbrewery. Plans are to be open in Fall 2016. Congratulations, Quentin and Brooke ! Visit the FSBC website.

Fort Smith Brewing Company Closes on Warehouse

Owners Quentin Willard and Brooke Elder officially closed on the purchase of a wa